By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Biologists in Missouri took samples from about six thousand deer this week to test for the fatal chronic wasting disease, but officials won't get the test results until March or April.
The brain-wasting disease is similar to elk and deer what mad cow disease is to cattle. It has never been identified in Missouri, but the state's Department of Conservation have been collecting deer heads from hunters for samples.
The agency says hunters have been very helpful.